DAENERYS

"The Dragon, the Lion, & the Wolf "

Daenerys was standing outside at the bay of Meereen. Her fleet of ships courtesy of the Greyjoy siblings were finished being boarded. A good portion of both her armies would be joining her, but not all as she would have to maintain control over Dragon Bay. She stood there in a black leather dress, her hair braided back into an elegant tri-braid ponytail with two tendrils of platinum blonde hair exposed on each side of her small head. She was absorbing the heat of the Essos sun as she knew winter was coming in Westeros. Her handmaidens had prepared numerous beautiful dresses with sleeves and matching pants for the colder climate. Tyrion, Missandei, and Torgo Nudho (Grey Worm) already boarded the royal ship and were waiting for her arrival to sail out across the Narrow Sea. Her children each had a ship of their own with docks large enough for them to rest as they would not fly the entire way. The ships were also prepared with water and sheep for them to eat—sure they could fish but Daenerys knew her children enjoyed sheep the best. At least Drogon and Rhaegal did, Viserion enjoyed cattle the most—though it wasn't abundant to come by.

Daenerys looked out at her fleet each with banners for the Greyjoy kraken and the Targaryen Dragon. She smiled at the ships and thought of how it was the true beginning to her journey to the Iron Throne. It scared her as much as the thought freed her. She worried that the throne wouldn't give her the happiness she desperately wanted—no needed. She was also reminded of those she left behind on her journey—Ser Jorah, Ser Barristan, Rhaego, and Drogo. She prayed to the Gods that Jorah found a cure or was still out there searching for one; her eyes watered at the thought. She even pondered on her people in Dragon Bay because she grew close to them and it felt as if she was abandoning them. That is why she left Daario as King of Meereen—she knew he would carry out her wishes and would allow Westeros and Essos to have more relations. Possibly even a festival that would alternate between continents. Daenerys smiled at the thought. She decided to push the thoughts out of her head and to focus on her people who were suffering under the hand of Cersei Lannister—her true enemy. She needed to be a dragon and dragons don't shy away at the roar of a lion. They eat them. She will take her throne—with fire and blood if she had too.

"Anna khalessi jin fleet ajjin ha yer.", one of her bloodriders told her. His name was Kono and he was particularly tall, with a black braid that went to the middle of his back. He was telling her that the fleet was waiting on her to board. Daenerys smiled at him before pondering. She decided that she wanted to ride Rhaegal instead of boarding the ship right away. She needed the time to be alone and to think.

"Qoy qoy stat eyak anha tikh dothralat rhaegal. Mori ishish elat.", Daenerys replied. She told him to tell the others to go ahead; she would be riding Rhaegal. Kono smirked and turned away before mounting his brown horse. He rode off to his brothers and told them.

Daenerys closed her eyes and thought of her children. She focused on her breathing and the feeling of wanting them near. Soon after, she heard their voices—Drogon first, then Viserion and Rhaegal. She saw them come around the Great Pyramid, the sun glistening off of their scales. Drogon lead them and she landed first on the sand. (Daenerys couldn't know for sure as dragons were known to change sex, but she could sense Drogon was a girl. Her size and her aggressiveness were slight indications.) Drogon leaned her massive head down and Daenerys put her palm on her snout as she smiled. Viserion and Rhaegal became jealous and exhaled loudly as they leaned their smaller heads in for a pet. Daenerys patted them both on their snouts and smiled while squinting her blue eyes.

"Vaoreznuni ao lanta, nyke kessa kipagon Rhaigal tubi. Sorry you two but I shall ride Rhaegal today.", Daenerys said to them. She spoke Valyrian to them as it only seemed natural. Rhaegal could sense she wanted to mount him, so he leaned his left wing and neck down for her to climb on. Daenerys gripped one of his horns on the side of his neck and put her foot onto the rubbery flesh of his wing. Dragon horns felt hard and rough against her smooth palms, but she wore fingerless gloves as to not irritate her hands. She threw her other leg around his wide neck and pulled onto two large slightly green horns in front of her body. Rhaegal took that as his signal to fly—so he did. Daenerys held her breath as he started off in a run before flapping his massive wings that sent gusts of wind in her face. She took a breath when they were gliding above her fleet and flew off leaving the sun setting behind her.

.

There it was—her birthplace. Daenerys and her fleet had been sailing for a little longer than a sennight. It had been a ruthless sennight as the Dothraki had never sailed before so they became very sick. Daenerys herself did not enjoy the excursion either.

Daenerys and her court were boarded onto a canoe to reach the shore. No one spoke to her, not even Tyrion and she said nothing. She wanted to absorb every moment of her home—the same home she was forced to flee when she was just a babe. She stepped onto the damp sand and felt the heel of her boot sink into the sand a little. She walked further up the shore and heard her children fly around the castle before landing on one of the salt formed mountains. They let out a soft roar as if they knew it was their Mother's birthplace. Daenerys looked at the massive gray structures before her in awe.

Daenerys made her way up the long stone stair case. There were dragonheads every couple of steps engraved into the side of the stone. It felt so natural for her to be immersed into the midst of them and she could feel her family's energy present. Finally, she made it to the large doors and pushed them open. The doors creaked, and dust stirred as they opened. Sun rays shined into the opening revealing the dark gray castle's halls. Hanging before Daenerys was a flaming heart around a stag on a banner. She knew it belonged to Stannis Baratheon and smirked as she yanked it down. Daenerys turned the corner and walked into the empty throne room. It was bare with the exception of a black salt-stone throne. The stone was formed into a diagonal slated shape. Daenerys walked up to it and sat down. It felt hard, but she didn't mind. She glanced down and then up to her advisors.

"Shall we begin?"

.

"Your grace, the court has all arrived along with your special guest.", Tyrion said to Daenerys. She was sitting in her private chambers. She thought of Sansa Stark—her special guest. Tyrion told her that she was a tender hearted girl that was trapped South with Cersei for years. He told her of their marriage to which Daenerys cringed at the thought of a fourteen-year-old being married to someone many years older than her. She wouldn't allow that in her rule. She also knew of Sansa's family being slaughtered and her home being taken from her. To put it simply, Daenerys felt for the girl because she also experienced the same things. However, Daenerys knew Sansa would not be the same young girl that Tyrion knew her to be; not after what she has seen.

"Shall we?", Daenerys said while leading the way. She already greeted Ellaria Sand, and Yara Greyjoy as they had been there for a couple of nights. Today Lady Olenna and Sansa Stark arrived. Varys would be there as well.

.

"My Ladies and Lords I have gathered you here so that my Lord Hand can explain our plan to take back the Iron Throne. I thank you all for commuting here and I am confident that with our great kingdoms unified as one for hope, that we will lead Westeros into a greater era.", Daenerys said. They were sitting in the small council room that overlooked the coast of Dragonstone. Daenerys stood along with Tyrion in front of the dark table of Westeros. Lady Olenna, Yara, Varys, Ellaria, Lady Missandei, and Torgo Nudho all sat around the table in that order. Sansa would not be joining the meeting as she said she would not intrude and did not plan on taking any oaths to Daenerys.

"Well it's good to see that my time here hasn't been wasted. Very good speech, your grace. However, we aren't the people you need to give the speech too and don't tell me that you expect us to tell our people to support you. Sure, they are sheep to be lead, but they are not blind. Do not forget that the Reach supported the Baratheons in their siege against your Father and for good cause too.", Lady Olenna spoke. She maintained full eye contact with Daenerys. She had her head and chin wrapped in gold silk. Her headdress and her robe were both black due to her grieving the loss of her family. Daenerys stirred and paused with a one-sided smirk. Tyrion fiddled with his fingers and looked up to Daenerys. Everyone else sat in silence.

"Lady Olenna, the Queen of Thorns you are. I can assure you I am not my Father. I have come here to be home and to take what was ripped from my family's grasp. No doubt, my Father was an evil man. This is why I plan on visiting each of your Kingdoms with my court, so the people know my face. I will also marry a noble man in Westeros. Does that appease you?", Daenerys asked. Lady Olenna smirked and nodded.

"My Lords and Ladies now that we have addressed th—that, we can discuss our actual plan of action. As for the Iron fleet we will have half of your ships escort 1,000 of the Unsullied to the Iron Islands to take them back in our Queen's name. The other half of your fleet will be used to escort the Dornish army to Lannisport. We cannot hope to get the people to surrender if we do not sieze Cersei's other seat.", Tyrion started. He could feel the tension in the room, so he tried his best to mitigate it.

"Nice of you to volunteer my army without my consent.", Ellaria responded in her Dornish accent. Her black hair was loose and she wore an orange gown with red seams.

"Please, Cersei is planning to attack Dorne as we speak. That would be your best bet to move the men you do have. Though the Dornish army have never been the best in warfare.", Lady Olenna said with a soft chuckle.

"Neither have the soldiers of Highgarden. Besides how would you know that?", Ellaria replied. She inched forward to Lady Olenna.

"Because you took her daughter—her only daughter from her. So, you should expect the mother's wrath to follow you wherever and I mean wherever you go."

"Why do you think I'm here?", Ellaria asked. Lady Olenna simply glared.

"Ugh um, ladies may we stay on task?", Tyrion interrupted.

"Your grace.", Ellaria replied. She surrendered by sitting further back into her wooden chair.

"Of course.", Lady Olenna replied.

"Your grace, the Iron fleet will serve whatever purpose you have for it.", Yara contributed. She was sitting comfortably in her chair with a dark blue cloak on and black pants. Her heavy boots could be heard anytime she shifted in her seat, which was often.

"Thank you Yara. You will be rewarded I can assure you that.", Daenerys responded. Yara winked at her, to which Daenerys smirked at her. Lady Missandei who watched the entire thing take place smiled as well.

"Ugh um so back to the plan. Our Queen wishes to not resort to the use of her children, unless it is necessary.", Tyrion started.

"Necessary meaning?", Lady Olenna asked. Yara and the others glanced to Daenerys.

"If I am losing the war then I will have no other choice.", Daenerys responded. She kept a blank face as it was no joke and she was speaking her truth. The others surrendered, but all hoped to not see the destruction three dragons could bring.

"The endgame is that the bulk of the Dothraki bloodriders will be used to surround King's Landing and the plan is that the people will turn against Cersei and open the gates.", Tyrion finished. Torgo Nudho and Lady Missandei sat in silence as they already knew the plan. The others were in silence as well.

"Is everyone in agreeance?", Daenerys asked. She couldn't tell if their silence was a good thing or a bad thing. She gripped the helm of her dress as she looked at all of them.

"Yes.", Yara replied. The others followed suit by nodding.

"Okay I look forward to making this as quick as possible. I will not keep you any longer.", Daenerys finished. She turned her back and went to the balcony to look at her children who were sun bathing on the beach. She listened as she heard conversing and finally the chairs moving as they started to leave. She turned back around and looked at Lady Olenna who still sat in her seat.

"Lady Olenna may I have a word?", Daenerys asked. Lady Olenna who stood out of her seat sat again after Daenerys took her seat directly in front of her.

"Your grace."

"I have this for you. Your grandchildren—they are alive.", Daenerys replied. She handed Lady Olenna the parchment she received nights before. Lady Olenna paused and read the parchment. Daenerys was silent as she watched the woman's hands start to shake. She put her hand up to her head and stood immediately.

"I apologize, but I must get back to the reach. Thank you."

"Of course. Good travels, I look forward to meeting them soon.", Daenerys said. She knew that the woman wasn't exactly paying any attention to her comments, but she still wanted to be cordial to her ally. Daenerys also grew fond of her remarks and thinking.

"Your grace.", Lady Olenna said before walking away.

"Your grace, she will respect you always for you being the one to give her the news of her grandchildren.", Varys stated. He reentered the room once Lady Olenna left. Daenerys glanced up at him with her eyebrows clenched.

"Yes, I suppose so. It is a good thing you were here to give the parchment."

"Well of course, your grace."

"Lord Varys you have served how many monarchs before me?"

"Four. I'm sorry I can't seem to understand why you asked. I swore an oath to serve you."

"As you have the other four. Now Tyrion told me that you serve the realm. What exactly does that mean?"

"It means—"

"It seems to me that it is an excuse to only serve yourself. To fulfill the desires of what you see fit. I know that you gave the order to have me assassinated…", Daenerys interrupted.

"Your grace I can assure you that I had no other choice, but I also sent out another raven to Magister Illyrio to notify our spy, Ser Jorah."

"Hm. I don't know if I believe you. I know I most certainly can never trust you—not completely, but I do need you. You knew my enemy so at the very least you can offer me that."

"Daenerys you are my Queen… Ever since you and your brother were babes, the Magister and I have swore to protect you because we knew that Robert Baratheon could never be the King the realm needed. I swear to you that I will serve you and only you.", Varys said. His voice was full of emotion, but yet Daenerys couldn't believe his words.

"I hear your oaths, but yet I still don't believe you. Maybe I will one day.", Daenerys stated. She looked past Varys' bare head and stared at the stone wall behind him.

"What is it you want me to do, your grace?", he asked. His brown eyes were full of concern.

"I want you to leave for now. Go and find me a Maester, one who will not only serve knowledge but who will serve it with purpose."

"Very well, your grace.", Varys stated before turning around to leave.

"Oh, and Lord Varys send my guest in on your way out."

.

"Lady Sansa so very nice to meet you. You are a northern beauty.", Daenerys started. She observed the girl with her beautiful auburn hair. Her hair showed different copper hues in her loose waves. Sansa paused at her words because those same words were spoken about her from Cersei.

"Nice to meet you as well. I hope you don't mind that Lady Brienne is outside the room."

"It is fine, my guards are out there as well. Now what have you come here for? It surprised me that you wouldn't be joining my council meeting."

"No, I would never intrude on such a meeting after all I did not come to swear fealty to you."

"Then what is it you have come for?", Daenerys asked. Her smile faded as she looked into Sansa's blue eyes.

"I have come under my brother—King Jon of the North's orders. I'm not sure if you know or not, but there is a mountain of dragonglass buried beneath Dragonstone. My brother wishes for you to allow Northernmen to excavate it, in return for lumber."

"What is the importance of this dragonglass that you speak of? I can't say that I am familiar with it.", Daenerys asked perplexed.

"Well it is a substance that we require for the North. It has special properties useful to us."

"For what purpose?"

"I—war"

"War?", Daenerys asked. She felt her blue eyes get big as she glared at Sansa. Surely the North didn't intend on fighting against her rule.

"I can assure you, not any war dealing with Southern issues.", Sansa retreated.

"Ah I see. Well I suppose I could allow it as I need relations in the North besides the horrible tales of my Father… Describe your brother to me."

"My brother?"

"Yes—tell me about his virtues and the things he has done to become King."

"Well I can't seem to find the importance in discussing him.", Sansa refuted.

"I plan on wedding a noble man in Westeros. I need to have another relation to Westerosi culture as I was not raised here."

"I don't think the King wants to marry someone who he is not in love with. He is a man of honor and a man of duty. However, he will always put his family and honor before his duties. In that order.", Sansa replied.

"So, you would say that he is just and honorable. Do the people support him?"

"Yes. He unified the wildlings into one group and allowed them South of the wall to live in our boarders. This was something that had never been done in history. He also took back Winterfell in our family's name after it was taken from us."

"He seems like quite the man. Lady Sansa I will trade the dragonglass with the North as long as your brother accepts my wedding proposal. I will even have my men excavate it and deliver it to the North myself."

"That's all you ask?"

"Well and if your forces help me, I will help the North in your battle with whoever the threat may be.", Daenerys responded.

"Well I can't make any promises as my brother rarely listens to me, but I can propose the idea to him."

"Do I have your support at the least?", Daenerys asked. She leaned her head forward to look Sansa in the eyes. Sansa started to respond and stopped to look down.

"I'm sorry this is all a bit much. You see my mother was in the same predicament as me, before. Well not with a monarch, but she arranged a marriage between a Lady and my brother who was King in the North at the time. It all seems a bit odd…"

"Lady Sansa I can assure you that Cersei will suffer for the pain she has caused the Stark name. We cannot allow her to sit on the Iron Throne any longer."

"You have my support.", Sansa stated. Daenerys squinted her eyes and smiled at her. Sansa returned the smile.

"Very well. With your brother as my King, that leaves you as Queen in the North to rule over Winterfell and all the noble houses there.", Daenerys stated. She watched as Sansa's smile faded. In Sansa's mind she felt as if Daenerys was attempting to manipulate her so she decided to address it.

"What are your intentions with the North?", Sansa asked. Daenerys paused and pondered on what they really were.

"I have no intentions with the North. The North seems to do fine ruling itself. Of course, I intend to keep it a part of the seven kingdoms, but only in trade."

"Very well.", Sansa responded. She wasn't sure if she truly believed her words and she was sure Daenerys could sense her hesitation. Sansa wouldn't allow herself to be manipulated anymore, but she knew that Daenerys had the resources she needed. She decided to be as cordial as she could.

"One last topic before I go to my children. Was Tyrion kind to you during your marriage?"

"Of course. He was nothing, but kind. If you are asking if I believe he is trustworthy, I would say yes. Just keep him from the wine if you can.", Sansa responded with a smile. Daenerys smiled back. Sansa thought of her first encounter with him earlier and how he made a joke about their marriage. It was a nice conversation, but Sansa knew he could tell she grew a lot since he last saw her.

"I'll try. I look forward to having another conversation with you Lady Sansa. Hopefully with lighter topics.", Daenerys responded while walking out of the room.

…

Next time: Daenerys makes her arrangements for the North. She tests Varys once more.